Amplifier horn



' tortions, false tones and the like.

Patented Dec. 16, 1930 ITED STATES I PATENT` OFFICE JESSE B. HAWLEY, OF WILMETTE, ILLINO UNITED REPRODUCERS CORPORATION, 0F NEW JERSEY- IS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO OF ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION AMPLIFIER HORN Application led September vide a compact and unitary sound amplifier combining the features and advantages of a sound amplifying horn and a sound emitting vibratable diaphragm, and combining the sounds thereof whereby a greater range of reproduction may be had without distortion. The natural periods of horns and vibratable diaphragms are at different points, such that the fundamental in one is at a comparatively low audio frequency and in the other at a vcomparatively high audio frequency so that respective high and low frequency auditions are reproduced with dis- The present invention avoids this by providing a reproducer with sound emitting parts of different fundamentals, such that when the reproduced audible vibrations are remote from the fundamental of one of the parts, the a1nplitude of vibrat-ion of the other part will preponderate in sending out the iinal sound waves and thus effect the latter without distortion, false tones and the like. In this way a much greater range of true sound reproduction can be obtained.

The invention also comprehends the provision of such a combined and unitary device with a directly vibratable part so cooperating with another part acting in the nature of a horn, as a confining or sound direct-ing wall, yet also emitting sound waves part of which will commingle with the sound waves being' transmitted in the space between the parts. The arrangement is such that the `27, 1924. serial No. 740,159.

sounds passing from between the parts will mingle with the tones the vibratable part, which for convenience may be termed the diaphragm part, the other part being conveniently termed the horn part. As another feature of the invention the device is constructed and arranged to be operated and actuated from a single sound reproducing unit, such as an electro-magnetic telephonie receiver having a diaphragm for setting up sound waves in the passage between the horn `part and the vibratable diadirectly emitted fromv phragm part and also for eecting direct vibration of the latter diaphragm part, as by a stil connection between the two dia-` phragms. l

The invention also includes, as another feature thereof, the idea of providing a sound reproducing device of the character disclosed of integral material, as felted and matted fibrous materials, as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 620,579, filed February 23, 1923; and also the provision of such device without any seams, thus avoiding the locating of false seams.

Other objects, advantages, capabilities and features are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

Figure 1 represents an end view of my improved horn looking linto the mouth of the amplifying horn, and

Figure 2 is a section Figure 1.`

Referring now to the drawings in detail, my improved amplifier or sound radiating device comprises a central sound conveying tube 1 preferably diverging toward the forward end 2 thereof and provided at the rear end portion 3 thereof with means for the attachment of a sound reproducer, receiver or the like 4, in which is mounted a vibratable diaphragm 5. t The forward end of the tube nodes or nodal points at the taken on line 2 2 of i 1 extends and curves laterally to form a reversely curved portion 6 which extends into a flaring frusto-conical wall or portion 7 projecting toward the rear and arranged substantially in concentric relation with the'tube 1, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. The rear.` end portion 8 of this part extends and curves laterally and forwardly into a forwardly extending flaring or substantially frusto-conical body portion 9, which is also substantially concentric with the portion 7 and the tube 1. This portion 9 at its outer end forms a mouth 10 from which the sound is finally emitted to the atmosphere. The walls 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the tubular member 1 form a sound guiding member providing a single continuous sound directing surface which vextends in a somewhat serpentine fashion from the vibratable dia hragm 5 to the mouth 10 of the horn.

pposite the open end 2 of the tube 1 is located a combined sound guidingand vibratable member or diaphragm part having a substantially caustic surface 12 and being provided, with a projectin portion 13 extending more or less into the open end portion of the tube 1, as clearly shown in Figure 2. This sound guidin and vibratable member 11 has a rearwar ly extending substantially annular portion or wall 14, preferably in the form of a frusto-cone which may be substantially vparallel to but preferably slightly diverging from the wall of the member 7 and spaced therefrom so as to provide a diverging passage 15 between the walls 7 and 12 whereby sound or sound waves may travel rearwardly in the passage 15 and toward the sound guiding and reflecting portion 8, and thence between the walls 9 and 17 of the device. Thewall 14 is reversely bent `or curved at line 16 and then extends forwardly into wall portion 17, which may be substantially parallel to but is preferably dvergent with the wall 9. The end of the wall 17 preferably terminates in a plane at the end 18, such plane being substantially flush with the open end 10 of the wall 9. This member 12 thus forms a cooperating sound guiding member, and provides a continuous sound directing surface from the inwardly projecting portion 13 to the mouth 18 thereof, operating in conjunction with the continuous surface of the tubular member 1. This forms a continuous sound'amplifying passage of annular cross section and of gradually increasing dimension as it approaches.

the mouth of the horn.

In addition to constructing the device with the member 11 to provide a sound amplifying passage, the member 11 is vibratably mounted opposite the mouth of the tubular member 1, so that it is free to directly vibrate from the diaphragm 5 of the unit 4: and concurrently w1th the sound waves passing through the tube 1 from the vibratable diaphragm 5. To this end the mouth 10 of the wall 9 of the tubular member 1 is provided with the transversely arranged or latticed strips or like elements 19, 20 and 21, having hook shaped ends adapted to fasten over the rim of the mouth 10. The open end portion of the wall 17 is attached to these by suitable means, such as rivets or other fastening members 22. In this manner the member 12 is free to vibrate. The forward end 13 of the member 12 is provided with a stift1 wire 29 which rigidly connects with the central portion of the vibratable diaphragm 5, so that when the 'diaphragm 5 vibrates it will also vibrate the member 12 to thereby set in motion the air which surrounds it. It will thus be seen that in addition to providing the amplification resultant Afrom the sound guiding channel formed between the two sound guiding members, there is also provided the amplication of the sound afforded by the vibration of the sound guiding member 12 due to its positive connectionv with the vibratable diahragm.

It will also be noted from the above that the horn and diaphragm parts are made of integral material and are without seams, joints or the like so that false location of nodes or nodal points will not be effected.

It must be apparent that I do not limit my invention to the exact details of construction illustrated and described in this specification inasmuch as various modifications of the broad invention will occur to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A sound amplifier comprising two sound reflecting members spaced apart and formingl therebetween a sound guiding passage, a vibratable diaphragm spaced from one of said members and arranged to emit sound vibrations in said passage for reflection from said latter member, means for vibratably mounting one of said latter members, and means connecting said vibratable member with said diaphragm whereby the vibrations of the latter may be effected in said member.

2. A sound reproducing. and amplifying device comprising a hollow member,a vibratable diaphragm therein and providing therebetween a sound directing passage, a vibrat- ,ing surfaces, a diaphragm 'disposed in said hollow member, a cooperative sound guiding member disposed relatively-to said hollow member to direct the sound emitted by iti said diaphragm to amplify the same, said cooperative surface being vibratably mounted and spaced from said diaphragm, and means for connecting said diaphragm and said cooperative member to cause said cooperative member to vibrate. f

4. A sound amplifier comprising a central hollow conical portion, an outer hollow frus- .wire rigidly connecting to-conical portion, and an intermediatehollow frusto-conical portion having its inner smaller end connected to the larger end of the central portion and its larger endconnected to the smaller end ofthe outer portion, and a' sound guide opposite the larger end of the central portion and extending toward the smaller end of the outer portion and spaced therefrom to form a passage therebetween, s aid sound guide being vibratably disposed in such position, and means connecting said sound guide with the vibratable diaphragm mounted in said central hollow portion.

5. A sound amplifier comprising a sound conveying tube having a bent back extension from one end thereof, and a sound guide opposite said end of the tube, said guide having a caustic surface opposite to and spaced from said endof said tube, a vibratable diaphragm in said tube, and a connection from said caustic surface to said vibratable diaphragm, said sound guide being vibratably disposed in its position opposite said end of the tube.

6. A sound amplifier comprising a sound conveying tube having a vibratable diaphragm therein and provided with a bent back extension from one end thereof, a sound guide opposite said end of said tube, said guide having a caustic surface op osite to and spaced from said end of' said tulbe and a said caustic surface to said vibratable diap ragm, and means for vibratably mounting said sound uide in position opposite said end of the tue.

7. A sound amplifier comprising a tubular member having an extension forming with the wall of said member, a continuous sound amplifying surface, a vibratable diaphragm for said tubular member, a sound guiding member vibratably disposed opposite the mouth of said tubular member and having a portion disposed adjacent said extension to form therewith a sound guiding and ampli- :tying passage, and means for directly transmitting the vibration of said diaphragm to said vibratable member.

8. A sound amplifier comprising a tubular member, a vibratable diaphra thereima sound guiding member vibrata ly carried by said tubular member and disposed opposite the mouth -of said tubular member and means connecting said vibratable member andv diaphragm for direct transmission of vibrations from one to the other.

9. A sound amplifier including sound reflecting members spaced apart to form a sound guiding passage, one of said members being vibratably mounted, diaphragmatic means spaced from said latter member and adapted to emit vibrations in said passage and connected vto said vibratably mounted member for causing it to vibrate.

1Q. A sound amplifier including` members forming a sound guiding passage and one of said members being vibratably mounted, diaphragmatic means spaced from said latter member and for causing the positive vibration of said vibratable member and for emitting vibrations in said sound guiding passage.

11. A sound amplifier comprising members constructed and arranged to form an annular sound guiding passage, one of said members being vibratable and located within the circumference of said other member, and diaphragmatic means spaced from said vibratable member and for emitting sound vibrations in said passage and for positively vibrating said vibratable member to correspond With said sound vibrations.

12. A sound amplifier comprising members constructed and arranged to form a sound guiding passage and a freely vibratable member, diaphragmatic means spaced from the latter and carried by said amplifier for emitting sound vibrations in said passage and for positively vibrating said vibratable member in synchronism with said sound vibrations.

13. A sound amplifier constructed and arranged to form a sound passage and a vibrat able member, sound initiating diaphragmatic means spaced from said member and carried by said amplifier and adapted to emit sound vibrations in said passage and adapted to cause the positive vibrations of said vibratable member. t,

14. A sound reproducing device co1nprising a horn, a vibratable diaphragm, means ,spaced therefrom and having a vibratable element for initiating sound waves in said horn, and means connecting said diaphragm to said element whereby said diaphragm may dif rectly emitsound waves. t i

15. A sound reproducing and amplifying device comprising a. hollow member, a vibratable member in said hollow member and located to provide an air column between said members, means for setting `in 4vibration sound waves in said air column, and a con.- necting element connected to' said means and to said vibratable member -for directly vibrating said vibratable diaphragm to set up sound waves in the air surrounding said vibratable member.

16, A sound reproducing and amplifying device comprising a horn, a vibratable dia.- phragm therein, a common sound initiating means spaced from said diaphragm, means connecting said diaphragm withsaid initiating means, said initiating means adapted to set vibration sound Waves in the horn and directly vibrating said diaphragm for disul reetl7 setting in vibration the air surrounding said diaphragm.

17. In a sound radiatin device having means for setting in vibration sound waves, a vibratable member for transmitting the waves and com osed of integral and seamless moulded material.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

JESSE B. HAWLEY. 

